Hello and welcome! This silly blog is an experiment in my own vanity in terms of my opinions on craft beer and music and various pairings (much like you would do with food). I definitely want to express that I am no expert in terms of brewing or in musical composition. This is merely opinion, my opinion (sometimes clouded by consumption) with regards to enjoyable beers and music. Cheers! (Check us out on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brews-and-Tunes/349546661726318?ref=hl)

Sound: As an avid thrash metal fan, I actually hated this album when it was originally released. And I mean HATED! Over the years I've actually grown to not only tolerate it, but like it (I don't love it) and I've grown to somewhat respect the experimentation and reinvention the band tried at the time. The album has a very dark and gloomy post-grunge '90s catchy rock vibe with down-tuned guitars and slower grooves. Hammett's guitar work is the shining star on this album! Of his guitar work on the album, Hammett stated, "I started tuning to E-flat for my riff tapes because I copied a lot of the Hendrix stuff. You know I used to try to figure out Jimi Hendrix solos, Stevie Ray Vaughan solos, Thin Lizzy solos and those three bands tune to E-flat. And so a lot of my riffs were in E-flat, and I guess when James would hear the riffs tuned in E-flat and he'd try to sing to 'em, I think he kind of liked it. He liked the break it kind of gave his voice. He didn't have to pitch that extra half step."

Taste: The taste is floral, citrusy, malty, earthy, and clean. There are notes of grapefruit, tangerine, pineapple, light pine, sweet biscuit, toffee, and some spicy pepper. The higher ABV is masked really well by the citrus and pine notes.

Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel of the 2 x 4 DIPA is very smooth and crisp with a clean finish.

Overall pairing: The bold, hoppy flavors and aromas of Melvin's 2 x 4 DIPA makes for a very good companion to the power and rockin' punch of the mighty Metallica's "Load"!